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a. Shut down freeze in 7.6.1 Regarding the previously mentioned shut down freeze problem, Ed Lovelace offers yet another possible fix: Disable PointCast Monitor Engine.

b. CopyPaste freeze There may be a startup freeze conflict between the newly released CopyPaste 3.3.1a and PPPMenu 2.0.2. Reverting to CopyPaste 3.3 fixes the problem (as spotted on the MRP).

Update: Julian Miller of Script Software writes: "We think people should use the latest CopyPaste 3.3.1a and rearrange the loading order of extensions. This does not appear to be a CopyPaste problem." In … Read more

FreePPP 2.6b2 is now available; Free PPP 2.5v3 problem

a. FreePPP 2.6b2 is now available for testing. It expires June 1st, 1997 and the password for the encrypted archive can be found in the accompanying release notes. It mainly fixes several bugs. (Thanks, Steve Dagley.)

b. On a related note: Mike Engleman writes: "I'm running Mac OS 7.6.1 on a Power Mac 7200/90. Upon installing Free PPP 2.5v3, along with PPP Menu 2.0.2, Netscape began suddenly quitting and giving me Error 1 or Error 3 messages. I ran Norton, I zapped the PRAM and rebuilt the desktop. To no avail. … Read more

RAM Doubler and QuickDraw 3D conflict confirmed

Dana Muller was having a problem Type 11 errors that ultimately were linked to a conflict with both RAM Doubler 2 and QuickDraw 3D (both version 1.06 and 1.5). In particular, it occurs under the following conditions: Launch Internet Explorer and SimpleText (from a document!); then quit IE and SimpleText. It also happens if you reverse the IE and SimpleText orders.

Dana got the following reply from Connectix on this matter:"I have confirmed this here too, on a couple of different machines. Our QA department is now aware of this bug."

Wacom problems persist, but OT/PPP 1.0.1 fix is on the way

Though we have also mentioned this before (several times!), we continue to get reports of problems with serial port versions of the Wacom tablet and OT/PPP. There is now a mention of this on Wacom's web site. Here is what Wacom suggests for now:

If the error that you are encountering is an "unimplemented trap" this is usually fixed by removing the extension "Open TPT Serial Arbitrator" or "Serial Port Arbitrator." However there are some situations when this will not fix the problem. If you are still having the problem restart with … Read more

Mac OS 7.6.1: Some Macs may not retain Startup Disk selection on cold starts

(and reminders about some older GV updates) a. Global Village has released a beta version of a fix for the "serial port is busy" problem (mentioned here on MacFixIt several times previously). It typically occurs when using OT/PPP with a PowerPort PC card modem. The fix is PowerPort Platinum Pro PC Card 2.5.8b1 and it works in combination with GlobalFax 2.5.8.

b. Michael Beaudoin discovered that the modem script for his GV TelePort Platinum modem that came with OT 1.1.2 is incorrect. To fix it, he needed to download GV's … Read more

Mac OS 7.6.1: Some Macs may not retain Startup Disk selection on cold starts

Based on feedback that I am now getting, there is a good possibility that some Macs updated to Mac OS 7.6.1 have a problem where selecting an internal drive to be the startup disk (as selected in the Startup Disk control panel) does not "stick" - and that this may account for the half-minute startup delay ( as reported previously). More specifically, Darren Burgos noted that, after selecting his internal drive as the startup disk, it remained properly selected for subsequent warm restarts (as selected via Restart from the Finder's Special menu) but not after a … Read more

Bill Gates visits Detroit

Microsoft has a web page that describes Bill Gates' visit to Detroit yesterday. I attended the part where "Bill spoke about Microsoft's vision for a Connected Learning Community." It was one of several events Bill spoke at while he was here (most others focused on the business community). Apparently, this is part of some Microsoft road show, as Bill is in Chicago today on a similar mission.

Bill's speech was fine as such speeches go. He mostly talked about how the Internet would soon change the face of education. However, he was followed by another Microsoft … Read more

So that's why I couldn't access anything last Friday

Speaking of MacInTouch, I noted a link there to an article that described a "routing snafu" that brought down a major portion of the Internet last Friday. I was one of the many affected and was wondering what had happened. I could connect okay but could access almost nothing. The story is almost funny - if it were not so potentially serious. Essentially: "Virtually all Net traffic was suddenly steered toward a little-known backbone provider called MAI Network Services Inc. in McLean, Va., which had sent incorrect routing tables to Sprint Communications Co. and many other network … Read more

More on Iomega tech support - and Jaz problems

Regarding difficulties in accessing Iomega tech support, several readers pointed out that the Iomega web page that I linked to the other day ( in the item describing the defective Jaz cartridges and tech support issues) included a phone number where Iomega can now be reached at no charge: 1-800-336-1314.

Jen Funk offered the following phone number for potential free access: 1-800-818-9728 (extension 933 if they ask for one).

Several readers pointed to support@iomega.com as an email address you can use (though don't hold your breath waiting for a reply). On the downside, Brett Wickens claims that the … Read more

b. Half minute startup slow-downs in Mac OS 7.6.1

Many users confirmed this as well. Bill Fox (on his For Mac Users Only web site) was the first to point out a likely solution. Joe Sponn offered similar advice. What seems to be happening is that the startup disk selection in the Startup Disk control panel somehow gets lost (Apple System Profiler will list your startup disk as "unknown"). This means that the Mac does not know what you intend the startup disk to be and thus it spends time spinning its wheels until it finally defaults back to the first available startup drive it can find (… Read more